School based strategies to promote girl child Participation in secondary education in Karungu Division, Nyatike District Kenya

Abstract

The study aimed at finding school based strategies laid to promote girl child participation in secondary education in Karungu Division Nyatike District. Many secondary schools have put different strategies that aim at increasing participation of girls in secondary education however, the division still experiences poor participation of girls in secondary education. To investigate this the researcher used ex-post facto research design in 11 secondary schools sampled in the division interview schedules and questionnaire were developed and administered to 6 male head teachers, 4 female head teachers, twenty nine female teachers, seventy male teachers and two hundred and thirty students (girls) who were sampled for the study. K.C.S.E result analysis between 2010 to 2012 from 10 secondary schools were observed and further analyzed to substantiate if the findings from the interview schedules and questionnaires were true. The collected data was then analyzed using qualitative and quantitative techniques. This included tables, percentages, bar graphs and pie-charts the findings of the study were based on objectives. Out of the eleven secondary schools studied only 2 schools had above average or good physical facilities while five schools were rated as average and three schools were rated as below average on guidance and counseling, five schools had effective guidance and counseling sections whereas six schools had no effective guidance and counseling sections. 35.78 percent of the respondents agreed that guidance and counseling has increased participation of girls in secondary education. About involvement of NGOS and international organizations. 8 schools in the division out of eleven have benefited from them and this represents 59.63 percent of the respondents who agreed that it has increased participation of girls in secondary education by either putting up school infrastructure, paying students’ fees and providing science equipments. The study further revealed that the following international organizations i.e. Catholic Relief Agency, World Vision Kenya and African Development bank, while local NGOs include banking institutions I.E. equity bank and co-operative bank which are involved in education in Karungu Division. On curriculum many girls students who do opt for humanities and 66.97 percent of the respondents agreed it has increased participation of girls between 2010-2012 majority of the head teachers and teachers agreed with the gender policies in education and 64.22 percent of the respondents agreed that they have increased participation of girls secondary in education. In conclusion the study found out that majority of schools have put up appropriate strategies which to some extent have yield effects in participation of girls in secondary education. It was therefore recommended that the government, P.T.A, and other financial partners to increase funding for schools in order to put up appropriate facilities and also the MoEST to ensure that educational policies are strictly adhered to in order to promote girls participation in secondary education.